Match Report – Northumberland Lightning @ Dundee Hurricanes 3.5.15

Just over a week ago in week five of the season, Northumberland Lightning travelled to Scotland to face the Dundee Hurricanes. Fresh off a heavy defeat to Newcastle Vikings the previous week, the Lightning had it all to do in very tough conditions at Morgan Rugby Club.

Both teams found moving the ball difficult in the opening quarter, with the weather forcing both O’s into a run heavy game plan.

The Lightning struck first though, finally getting their first league touchdown after QB Callum Pattinson picked out TE Ross Conley for the score and putting 6 points on the board after an unsuccessful PAT.

It didn’t take long before the ‘Canes began to respond however and moved the ball well into the second quarter, with Craig Denham finally breaking free for an 80 yard run home. A successful PAT put the game at 7-6 to the Hurricanes. The growing momentum paid off, as ‘Canes brothers Fraser and Bruce Thomson combined to add a second, with a missed PAT taking the half time score to 13-6.

Lightning came out strongly again in the second half, creating their own momentum but an interception suddenly ended this in the worst possible position for Northumberland. The Hurricanes took full advantage, with RB Liam Thompson ploughed through the middle for the TD and 2 point conversion, taking the game to 21-6.

The Lightning had to fight to hold on now and did so until the fourth quarter, where Denham again struck with an inside run and a 2 point conversion to take the scores to 29-6.

The Lightnings O were struggling to move the ball now against a confident Hurricanes D and after punting the ball away, the ‘Canes had one final scoring drive with one final inside run from Fraser Thomson and a final 2 point conversion, to finish 37-6.

Overall it was a tough day and a long journey home for Northumberland, who started so brightly, but ultimately fell to the ‘Canes running game and are now 0-3 with the league favourites West Coast Trojans approaching.

Credit to Dundee Hurricanes for the match report information and photographs